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Manchester United 3 Everton 3
Dominic Calvert-Lewin stunned Manchester United in injury time when the forward secured Everton a close 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.
Just days after the 9-0 annihilation at the nine-man Southampton, the Red Devils looked ready to celebrate another victory at Old Trafford.
Scott McTominay had put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team on the road to victory, recovering from Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodríguez nullifying the first-half efforts of Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes.
But United’s soft set-piece belly was exposed in injury time, with a Lucas Digne free kick launched by Michael Keane and Calvert-Lewin heading home for Everton.
The hosts may be wondering how they conspired to squander the victory here, especially after coming into halftime with a two goal lead thanks to Cavani’s good header and Fernandes’ magic moment.
Everton tied seven minutes into the second half when Doucoure turned home before Rodriguez hit the tie, only for McTominay to finish off Luke Shaw’s free kick.
However, in injury time, Calvert-Lewin was there to jump in, sealing a memorable point at an empty Old Trafford.
It was an extraordinary ending to an evening that began with both parties paying their respects on the 63rd anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
The hosts, buoyed by the win against the Saints, got off to a brighter start Saturday night, with Mason Greenwood throwing a magnificent left-handed cross that Mason Holgate left behind after he simply eluded Cavani.
Paul Pogba’s header from the resulting corner was cleared and Greenwood was soon causing trouble again, flipping Andre Gomes inside out before hitting a missed shot in the face of the goal.
It took 24 minutes for both sides to get a shot on goal, but Cavani made it count.
Marcus Rashford shot a beautiful cross to the far post and the veteran headed Robin Olsen firmly behind Keane.
Scott McTominay celebrates Manchester United’s third goal against Everton. Photograph: Michael Regan / Getty
Cavani missed a shot when he was found by a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka shortly after and Fernandes had an effort blocked, before Pogba was forced out.
The French international, who was named United’s Player of the Month in January, was stopped with what appeared to be a right thigh problem, prompting Fred to replace him in the 39th minute.
Victor Lindelof was breathing a sigh of relief after his punt under pressure was blocked and Richarlison subsequently sent an effort through de Gea’s goal out of position, before Fred missed as the first half looked on the verge of exhaustion.
But Fernandes had other ideas. With no options at the edge of the area, he fired a sublime right-hand shot that edged Olsen and settled into the upper left corner.
It was an impressive hit that Calvert-Lewin squandered the opportunity to take the lead in injury time when he narrowly hit.
But while Everton may have finished the first half with their shoulders slumped, they had their tail lifted after the break.
Shortly after Olsen rejected a snapshot of Shaw, Calvert-Lewin was dispatched and De Gea was only able to stop his shot in the way of Doucoure.
That 49th minute punch was soon followed by another punch to the stomach. United’s defense was unable to effectively clear a cross and Doucoure drove a ball back to Rodriguez, who took a touch and fired a low left-foot shot that passed De Gea.
Solskjaer’s team rocked back on their heels, but slowly began to regain their composure and build pressure, with Rashford forcing Olsen to save at his first post.
United took the lead in the 70th minute. Shaw sent a bubbly free kick from the left and McTominay directed it past Olsen.
Fernandes and Rashford tried to extend United’s lead and avoid a nervous finish, with Lucas Digne slamming his foot off the post before Richarlison fired wide at the other end.
They were warning shots that United did not hear. In injury time, Digne’s free throw was thrown by Keane and Calvert-Lewin swooped in from close range.
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